For example, at temperatures of 50, 60 or even 70 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on humidity levels) leaving your dog in the car can turn into a fatality. Dog heat stroke happens fast. Many places have laws about leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle and the places that don't, should.
Think about it! If it's 70 degrees, humidity is moderate (heat index is 80-85 degrees) but all the car windows are rolled up with a 1-3" opening, the car is in the direct sun, or even the shade, and you're leaving your dog in the car for more than 5 minutes. Could this be a problem? Maybe it's 80 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit (heat index of nearly 100 degrees) and you leave your dog in the car.
Take a moment and ask yourself, is this safe? Ask yourself if you would be safe left in the conditions you plan to leave your dog in. Would a baby be safe? If your answer is no, then your dog won't be safe either. Would a police officer, animal control officer, or veterinarian scold you or possibly ticket you for leaving your dog? If the answer is yes, then don't do it.
If you have any doubt about your dog's safety, listen to that and act accordingly. In the spring & summer months, dog heat exhaustion/heat stroke is the main concern. Believe me, watching a dog succumb due to heat exhaustion/stroke is heart breaking. They refuse water & food, are lethargic, breath rapidly, can't get up, are disoriented, vomit continually, have uncontrollable diarrhea, and slowly die.
To protect your dog from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, read the following:
*Don't leave you dog in the car unless you plan to leave the air conditioner running.
*Don't let your dog run in the middle of the day. Let your dog go for it in the early morning or at night when it's cooler.
*Keep in mind if you live in a highly humid/tropical climate, when it's 90 degrees and humidity is high, the heat index is typically over 100 degrees. Exercise your dog when humidity and the heat index is very low.
*Take stock if your dog has dark colored fur. They will get hot faster (black absorbs heat where white repels it).
*Be especially careful with short snouted dogs like pugs, bulldogs, mastiffs and shih tzu's. These breeds overheat much faster and are highly susceptible to dog heat stroke.
*Provide shade for your dog. Buy a tarp or a sheet and put it up if necessary. It's a lot cheaper than a vet bill.
*Always have fresh, clean water available for your dog. Dogs need hydration just like humans. Have a large plastic dish (metal gets hot) & leave your garden hose slightly running into the dish. A vet bill can be much higher than a water bill.
*No! An ice cold beer is not the answer on a hot summer day for your dog! Alcohol is poison for your dog. Give your dog lots of cold, clean water.
*Please don't tether your dog outside when it's hot. Dogs easily get the tether wrapped around various objects and end up in the sun. This is a recipe for dog heat stroke.
*Remember your dog doesn't wear shoes and asphalt, concrete, etc. get very hot in the summer sun. Burnt puppy pads are very painful and can become a serious issue quickly. Imagine walking barefoot on asphalt in the summer. Ouch! Walk your dog when it's cooler outside and preferably in shaded areas.
*When you're out & about with your dog, don't let your dog drink from stagnant water sources. These often have bacteria & mold that will make your dog very sick. Take along a water bottle and be the example by training your dog to drink while you're pouring.
*Never, ever leave your dog unsupervised around a swimming pool. They can easily drown. If you have a pool, train your dog where the stairs are located so they know how to get out. Just like children, keep an eye on your dog, at all times, when they're in the pool area.
Immediately call your veterinarian or animal emergency center if any of the following occur with regard to your dog:
*Rapid breathing with an increased heart rate.
*Your dog has discolored gums--Dogs with heat stroke have dull gray or pink gums instead of the normal red-pink color.
*Your dog is disoriented--they are unaware of their environment.
*Your dog isn't listening or obeying commands, seems lost or scared.
*Your dog has a wild or panicked expression.
If you suspect your dog may have heat stroke, first call your veterinarian or animal emergency center. Secondly, to help bring your dogs temperature down, do the following:
*Gently place a cool wash cloth on the unhaired belly area. Keep rinsing the cloth with fresh cool water and applying until your dog is calmer (this should only take about 5 minutes).
This is not a substitute for getting your dog to the veterinarian or animal emergency center. Get them checked out. It could save their life.
With the temperatures rising all over, be aware & make adjustments when necessary to take the very best care of your dog. If you have questions or concerns, talk with your veterinarian or veterinary technician.
Your dog relies on you to care for them. Do a good job. The rewards are priceless.
For those home owners who live in high temperature areas, the idea of having a nice, lush, green lawn may seem just about impossible, unless the home owner decides that he or she is willing to pay top dollar on his or her water bill. However, when it is time to start saving money and hold onto whatever you can with your savings, it seems hard to be able to keep your lawn the color that you want it to be.
But for smart home owners who are looking for a way to landscape their yard, they know that investing in an artificial grass landscape is the best way to be able to not only have a great yard year round, but save money in the long run when it comes to trying to water your grass and keeping it maintained.
With an artificial grass lawn, the water bill will not only plummet, but it will allow you to stick those extra dollars in the bank. Even time can be saved by having artificial grass installed outside of your house in your yard, because you don't have to spend hours out of your weekend to mow the lawn and pull out the weed whacker to get the corners of the lawn looking good.
An artificial lawn does not grow, does not need water and needs minimal maintenance. This is perfect for hot weather areas, as you don't have to stress about your home looking bad in the hot weather or when there is water rationing being done in the area. An artificial grass lawn is also great for parents who are looking for a place for their children to play and enjoy themselves without having to worry about them getting dirty or having their clothes covered in grass stains.
Both Miss Debra Rae & Grojan Fabiola are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Miss Debra Rae has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hair Styles, Cure Anxiety and Pets. Miss Rae has had animals her entire life & writes often about them & how dogs make us better people. here at. Miss Debra Rae's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.